A Brief History of the Club that Netted Success
Established at the end of the First World War, the club has 7 acres of land originally bought from a local mill owner and consisted of 2 grass tennis courts, a wooden pavilion and an outside toilet.
Over the years the club has developed with an active membership and forward looking committee. The site is shared with the cricket and bowls club although the Tennis Club owns the majority of the 7 acres.
Thongsbridge was affected dramatically by the Second World War. Adult membership declined from 27 in 1939 to 13 in 1940 and just 5 in 1942 and, out of necessity, only one court was used for the duration of the conflict. Blackout curtains were hung in the pavilion and special joining rates were offered to members of the forces. Military personnel were allowed to play for free. The club eventually disbanded in 1942, only re-forming in 1947.
The old pavilion was twice extended, once in 1959, then in 1976. In 1952 the club became affiliated to the LTA and in 1970 two shale courts replaced the original grass courts, to which a tarmac court was added.
In 1993 the club constructed two indoor courts to compliment its outdoor facilities. This provided Thongsbridge with one of the first indoor court facilities in Yorkshire.
In 2000 the ageing shale courts were converted to all weather surfaces with floodlighting, enabling the club to use the courts for 12 months of the year.
2004 saw a far more ambitious development plan come to fruition with the construction of 2 additional indoor courts, a new floodlit kids’ zone, the new clubhouse with its shop, changing rooms, the café bar and a fitness suite. The facility development was supported by improvements to site access and extended car park.
Thongsbridge Tennis Club is now considered to be one of the most dynamic, forward thinking and fastest growing clubs in Yorkshire, if not the North of England. It has welcomed international stars such as Ilie Nastase, Martina Hingis and Pat Cash to its courts.
The current club is doing everything in its power to enhance its community role. It hosts a study centre for children, maintains excellent relationships with local schools and has close ties with Thongsbridge cricket and bowling clubs. It is thanks to the foresight of the individuals who established the club in the early twentieth century that we still have room to expand and grow.
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